Frank Marshall To Adapt Shirley Jackson’s “Lottery”

“The Haunting of Hill House” author Shirley Jackson’s controversial 1948 short story “The Lottery” is set to be adapted for the first time as a feature film at Paramount Pictures and Kennedy/Marshall.

The story is set in a small New England town where nearly a century-long tradition and superstition to help ensure a good farming season results in townsfolk picking up a piece of paper out of a weathered box, with one person ending up with a ‘black spot’ – that person is then stoned to death by the entire village including the children.

The story explores themes of mob mentality and never questioning tradition. Jake Wade Wall (“The Hitcher”) is writing the screenplay for the film while Jackson’s son Laurence Hyman will executive produce. Veteran filmmaker Frank Marshall, Christine Holder, Andrew Wilson and Mark Holder will all produce.